Okay, here’s a point to ponder; Would the DMC DeLorean enjoy the popularity it currently does without the success of the Back to The Future movie franchise? A 1982 DeLorean became the automotive star, thrusting an almost forgotten vehicle squarely into the public’s consciousness. It will be interesting to gauge your feedback on the subject, and I now promise not to mention the silver screen again. This 1982 example underwent a full restoration, but there has been no action since the seller listed it here on eBay in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They set their auction to open at US$50,000, and with no bids at the time of writing, it is possible that someone could secure this classic with a single mouse click.

If I had a single penny for every article that has been written about the disastrous history of the DMC DeLorean, I could probably submit a bid on this 1982 example. These cars stand proudly among illustrious company including the Edsel and the Tucker. They all shared two important traits. The first was that they appeared with great fanfare, promising an extraordinary ownership experience. However, the other quality that was common amongst the trio was that they were financial disasters. That was a shame in the DeLorean’s case, because the styling, penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, was stunning. It has an elegance that is comparable with some Ferrari models and the Lotus Esprit. However, the first obstacle that the company had to overcome was the exterior finish, because the brushed stainless steel panels polarized opinions. Some people found them stunning, while some buyers couldn’t get paint applied to cover the stainless fast enough. The biggest challenge facing many owners was that addressing minor dings and dents was difficult. On most classics, some judicious use of a hammer, a light wipe of Bondo, and fresh paint was the solution. That wasn’t the case with the DeLorean, because nothing could hide such damage to its stainless steel. Fortunately, the new owner of our feature car doesn’t have to face such challenges. The car underwent a total restoration, performed by a high-end shop. The panels are laser-straight, and the urethane bumpers are an excellent match. The seller doesn’t mention frame rust, and if the original epoxy coating is intact, there shouldn’t be any. The tinted glass looks excellent, and the distinctive alloy wheels exhibit no evidence of stains or physical damage.

Lifting the DeLorean’s hood reveals the 2.8-liter V6 that generated 130hp and 153 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. American cars were hamstrung by emission regulation, while those sold in other markets improved on both figures. The only factory option was a three-speed automatic transmission although, thankfully, this car’s first owner selected the five-speed manual. That brings us to another point to ponder. Many motoring writers found the DeLorean’s performance figures extremely disappointing in contemporary road tests, but the company had a solution under development that would have transformed these vehicles. It was collaborating with Legend Industries to develop an upgraded V6 featuring twin turbochargers. Legend fitted these engines to a pair of prototypes, and the improvement was profound. While journalists struggled to better a ¼-mile ET of 17 seconds in a standard DeLorean, the company claimed that the prototype completed the same journey in around 14.5 seconds. Had this come to fruition before the financial ax fell, the DeLorean would have possessed the power to match its looks. The seller has been this car’s custodian for three years and has only clocked a few hundred miles in that time. It was freshly restored when they took possession, and although they don’t mention its mechanical health, the history suggests that the news should be positive.

Considering its history, the overall condition of this DeLorean’s interior is unsurprising. The Gray leather upholstered surfaces are excellent, with no wear or other problems. The same is true of the carpet, and the plastic is in as-new condition. The only jarring note for me is the stereo, which is a modern CD player. Standard equipment was a DeLorean-branded Craig AM/FM radio/cassette player. These occasionally appear on the usual online auction sites, and I would search for one if I bought this classic to add the final touch of authenticity. These cars were marketed as high-end vehicles, and the standard equipment list reflected this. Every DeLorean left the factory with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, a leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic wheel, and a rear defogger.

This 1982 DMC DeLorean is in excellent condition, appearing to need nothing. It is ideal for someone seeking a turnkey classic that will turn heads and draw crowds. The seller’s opening bid figure looks realistic in the current market, especially considering the car’s condition. The listing views tally of 173 and the Watch List figure of thirteen suggests that this DeLorean hasn’t generated the type of interest previously seen at Barn Finds. Do you think the bubble might have burst for these classics, or do you expect the situation to improve as the end draws near?